So, a catch up. We have moved a little closer, as a concept, and a practicality. I have a friend, an actual real architect, working on plans for the expansion, and council approvals. As I expect from my friends, he is quite smart, and has added good ideas for the future of the farm. More on that at a later date.

Our new hothouse is very close to completion. At 6m x 9m, it is a decent size, and will do me for a while. Well, it's erected, the roof is on, the concrete is set, there is just the wall plastic to put up. Oh and the trestles inside. Oh and a sprinkler system. But you know, like most things around here, time baby, time.

Behind the hothouse is a new 1.8m chain mesh fence running the width of the yard from the existing chook pen to the dog fence. This will make the front of my new free range chook yard. It's over run with weeds at the moment, but we'll clear it off and plant out some decent and durable grass. The plan is, after we get council approval, the plan, is to put the free range shed in this paddock. The birds will range through here, and the existing orchard. When we get approval.

The area around my hothouse is planned as a cottage vegetable and herb garden. An area about 20m x 10m. Enough to put food on the table for 8 to 10 people. And not too massive that it consumes my days.